Central Office: 505 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield, CT 06109 Phone (860) 721-2822 Fax (860) 721-2823
Berlin:
240 Kensington Road, Berlin, CT 06037 Phone (860) 828-7017 Fax (860) 828-9248
Newington:
131 Cedar Street, Newington, CT 06111 Phone (860) 665-8586 Fax (860) 665-8533
Rocky Hill:
761 Old Main Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 Phone (860) 258-2770 Fax (860) 258-2767
__________________________________ www.ccthd.org ____________________________________
Date: October 15, 2012
To:
Local Media
From: Lori DiPietro, Health Educator
Please publish the attached article as often and as soon as possible. If you have any questions you may call me
at 860-721-2824. Thank you.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Health District Urges Residents to Keep Carbon Monoxide Dangers in Mind
With the end of fall quickly approaching, fans and air conditioning units are being put away and the heat is being
turned on. As we prepare to venture into the cooler months, the Central Connecticut Health District (CCHD) is
urging residents to keep in mind the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas that can be fatal. The symptoms of CO mimic the flu,
including headache, fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting or loss of consciousness. The effects of CO poisoning
can vary with age and overall health of the individual, as well as how long they are exposed to the toxic gas. If
several members of a household experience these symptoms while at home and then feel better when they leave
the home, it is a good indicator that there is a dangerous level of CO in the home.
According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), hundreds of Connecticut residents are taken
to the emergency department every winter and some are hospitalized or die due to accidental carbon monoxide
poisoning. These issues are usually caused by malfunctioning furnaces, improperly placed portable generators
and charcoal grills being used indoors.
Last year, Tropical Storm Irene and the October snowstorm left most of the state without electricity and resulted
in Connecticut having one of the largest CO poisoning in the US. DPH reports collecting 143 laboratory reports
of CO poisoning; of these, 5 were deaths. Upon questioning the families involved, only 35% of homes were
equipped with properly functioning CO detectors. A CO detector should always be placed near each sleeping
area in a home to alert residents when there is a high level of CO.
To prevent CO poisoning, portable generators should be placed at least 20 feet from the home and should never
be used in enclosed spaces such as porches, carports, garages or basements, even if the doors and windows are
opened. Opening windows and doors will not be enough to release all of the built up CO levels and can still be
hazardous.
CCHD recommends the following safety tips to ensure CO poisoning:
 Install a carbon monoxide detector near all sleeping areas. Be sure to replace all batteries at least once a
year and replace the detectors every five years.
 Have your heating systems, chimney flues, gas appliances and generators checked, cleaned and serviced
every year, as needed, by qualified heating/appliance contractors
 Be sure to use gasoline-powered equipment outside and away from doors, windows or air intake vents
 Only use grills outdoors
 Never use portable generators, pressure washer machines or other gasoline-powered equipment (including
tools) in your home, basement, garage, carport or other enclosed spaces. Always make sure that generators
are at least 20 feet from your home.
 Get out of the house immediately if you or your family has sudden and unexplained onset of symptoms of
CO poisoning, including vomiting, dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue or loss of consciousness.
For more information about CO poisoning, visit the CT DPH Environmental & Occupational Health
Assessment Program at www.ct.gov/dph/co, or by calling 860-509-7742. The Connecticut Poison Control
Center can be reached by calling 1-800-222-1222.
Further information about carbon monoxide or any other public health related issue can be directed to the
Central Connecticut Health District, serving the towns of Berlin, Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield,
by calling 860-721-2822 or by visiting our website at www.ccthd.org.